James Burton

Dr. James Burton has worked in South East Asia and the Middle East with NGOs, governments and conservation breeding institutions on research and applied conservation activities. James is chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group (since January 2006) and focuses on linking conservation stakeholders through species conservation planning.

The Specialist Group’s mission is to conserve Asian Wild Cattle and Buffaloes and their habitats. He currently has the role of coordinating a partnership between IUCN, North American and European zoos and partners in Indonesia that is developing in situ and ex situ conservation activities for Banteng, Anoa and Babirusa (Global Species Management Plans). He also provides strategic input as a member of the Steering Committee of the Saola Working Group, also supported by GWC.

Previously, James led a programme of field research projects, education and capacity-building activities with the government in the Sultanate of Oman for Earthwatch Institute.

Burton, J. & Nietsch A. 2010. Geographical Variation in Duet Songs of Sulawesi Tarsiers: Evidence for New Cryptic Species in South and Southeast Sulawesi. International Journal of Primatology, 31(6):1123-1146.

Hoffmann, M. et al. 2010. The Impact of Conservation on the Status of the World’s Vertebrates. Science, DOI: 10.1126/science.1194442.